Opinion: President Obama’s weekend: First a book and then a streaker

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During a weekend rally in Philadelphia, an overly excited author hurled a copy of his own book onto the Vernon Park stage where President Obama was standing.

The man, whom Secret Service agents described as an ‘overexuberant’ Obama supporter,’ was said to mean no harm and just wanted the president to read his book.

The Secret Service has not released the man’s name or the name of his book.

The author was questioned and then released.

At the same weekend rally, a different man identified as Juan James Rodriguez tried to run naked in front of Obama, with the name of a website written across his chest.

According to the Philidelphia Inquirer, the 24-year-old from Staten Island was attempting to earn $1 million with his act of indecent exposure.

Responding to a website’s challenge, which offered the prize money to anyone who ran naked in front of the president, Rodriguez sprinted in front of the stage, but was quickly nabbed by police and hauled off in handcuffs.

It is unclear as to whether the streaker will actually collect the $1 million. He is charged with indecent exposure, disorderly conduct and public lewdness.

Would you run naked at a rally in front of the president for $1 million? How far is too far when it comes to attention-seeking and publicity stunts?

-- Lori Kozlowski
twitter.com/lorikozlowski